STUDENT HANDBOOK

Missing Student Policy and Procedure

Dordt College takes student safety very seriously. To this end, the following policy and procedure has been established to assist in locating students living in Dordt-owned, on-campus housing who, based on the facts and circumstances known to Dordt personnel, Dordt has determined to be missing.

At the beginning of each academic year, Dordt will inform students residing in on-campus housing that Dordt will notify either a parent or an individual selected by the student not later than 24 hours after the time the student is determined to be missing. This will include the following information:

Students may identify an individual to be contacted by Dordt should they go missing. Students submit this confidential contact information through the registration process.

If the student is under 18 years of age, and not an emancipated individual, Dordt is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian not later 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing.

Dordt will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency not later than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing.

If Dordt security or law enforcement personnel has been notified and makes a determination that a student who is the subject of a missing person report has been missing for more than 24 hours and has not returned to campus, Dordt will initiate the emergency contact procedures in accordance with the student's designation.

Dordt will observe the following notification procedure for a missing student who resides in on-campus housing:

Once Dordt receives a missing student report to the student service's office, Dordt security, residence life, or another source, the following offices will be notified:

Dordt security

Vice president and chief administrative officer

Dean for campus life

Any official missing person report relating to this student shall be referred immediately to the vice president and chief administrative officer.

If after the investigation of the official report, it is determined that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours, Dordt will contact the individual identified by the student, the custodial parent or legal guardian if the student is under 18 and not emancipated, or local law enforcement if these do not apply.

Upon notification from any entity that any student may be missing, Dordt may use any of the following resources to assist in locating the student. These resources may be used in any order and combination.

Through the residence life office, the resident assistants may be asked to assist in physically locating the student by keying into the student's assigned room and talking with known acquaintances.

A search will be conducted on campus to find the student (library, cafeteria, etc.).

An I.D. picture will be disseminated to assist in identifying the missing student.

The dean for campus life and/or vice president and chief administrative officer may try to contact known friends, family, or faculty members for last sighting or additional contact information.

Student services or academic departments may be contacted to seek information on last sighting or other contact information.

Student services staff may access card access logs to determine last use of the card and track the card for future uses.